By Ryan - Posted on July 4, 2009

With ten races left to set the field for the “Race to the Chase,” NASCAR news stories are focused on the drivers within striking distance of the top 12.  Generally, this includes all the drivers from sixth or seventh all the way back to the 20th spot.  Starting in New Hampshire, Casey Mears rounds out the top 20.  He sits 777 points behind leader Tony Stewart.  If the field were set after this weekend’s race, he would have to make up roughly 300 points to make the chase.  Fortunately for him, he has the time, although probably not the ability, to make the cut.

In 15th position is Clint Bower, who is less than 100 points out of 12th.  In a very strikable position, he is being chased hard by Richard Childress teammate Jeff Burton who is a mere 14 points behind him.  Anything could happen with these two drivers and don’t expect team loyalty to come into play when it gets down to “crunch time.”

From 14th to 7th, the race really heats up.  Ryan Newman has a tentative hold on the 7 spot, only 90 points from David Reutimann coming in at 14.  In an interesting race for position, lasts week’s winner at Sonoma, Kasey Kahne is on the outside looking in at Juan Pablo Montoya.  Their point difference on the cusp of the Chase is 1.  If Kasey wins the pole or leads a lap, the Chase standings completely change.

For the race fan, NASCAR has been accommodating since the early days of the restructuring several years ago.  Adding 12 spots and reevaluating the way they award points to make race wins mean something, has made even the dog days of midsummer more exciting.  In a sport that recognizes that it will soon see yet another round of football training camps and its primary timeslot upended by another NFL season, Brian France and company have enabled NASCAR to keep its foothold throughout the fall.  Whoever makes the cut will certainly be mounting a run for it now, and the fans will be the ones who benefit.  In the end, it all comes down to Richmond.